Extendable display hanger

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, a display hanger includes a post, a product support moveable relative to the post between a retracted position and an extended position, and a biasing member biasing the product support to the retracted position. A shopper may manually move the product support to the extended position to visually inspect products hanging on the product support.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/182,976, filed Jun. 22, 2015, the entirety of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Conventional arrangements for displaying products for retail saleinclude hangers or peg hooks upon which products are hung. Such peghooks often include a horizontal or slightly inclined bar protrudingfrom a wall or other display surface. The product is hung on the bar,e.g., via a hole or other feature included in the product packaging,such that the forward most product is visible to a shopper and otherproducts on the hook are aligned behind the visible product.

At many retail establishments, space is at a premium. While the peg hookallows for hanging more product, i.e., because it provides depth to thedisplay area, it still may be necessary to hang non-identical productson the same hook. Specific items that come in a variety of colors orthat feature different designs, for example, may be hung on the samehook. Accordingly, a shopper desiring to purchase a certain modeltoothbrush in pink, may have to inspect toothbrushes arranged behind aforward-most blue or green toothbrush until she locates her pinktoothbrush. In some instances the shopper can visually inspect the rowof toothbrushes by swinging the forward-most products from vertical (andsometimes similarly displacing product on adjacent hooks), but often, auser will remove toothbrushes until she finds the desired pinktoothbrush. The toothbrushes the shopper removed and does not want arefrequently incorrectly restocked by that shopper, e.g., because she putsthem on a different peg hook or she places them backward on the peghook. In other instances, the shopper merely leaves the unwanted producton any nearby surface without attempting to re-stock them. Each of thesescenarios leads to an unsightly display area, which requires storeemployees to be mindful of the displays at all times, and to spend timere-stocking the toothbrushes correctly.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a display hanger that allows a userto visually inspect product hanging on a peg hook or the like withoutremoving product from the peg hook.

This disclosure is directed at overcoming one or more problems set forthabove and/or other problems of the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This application describes improved hangers for displaying products. Insome embodiments, a display hanger may include a telescoping mechanismthat allows a shopper to pull a peg hook from a retracted displayposition to an extended position. In the extended position, the shoppermay view the contents of the peg hook, without removing the contentsfrom the peg hook. In implementations, the peg hook is biased to returnto the retracted display position when the shopper lets go or otherwisereleases the peg hook.

In aspects of this disclosure, a display hanger includes a postextending in an axial direction from a base to a distal end; a productsupport arm configured to move generally in the axial direction relativeto the post between a retracted display position proximate the base ofthe post, and an extended position relatively farther from the base; anda biasing member biasing the product support arm toward the displayposition.

In another aspect, the display hanger of the preceding paragraph furtherincludes a sled configured to move on the post and the product supportis fixed on the sled.

In another aspect, in the display hanger of any of the precedingparagraphs the sled comprises at least one sleeve receiving the posttherein.

In another aspect, the display hanger of any of the preceding paragraphsfurther includes a post extender fixed relative to the product supportand movable in the axial direction relative to the post.

In another aspect, in the display hanger of any of the precedingparagraphs the post extender comprises a sleeve sized to receive thepost.

In another aspect, in the display hanger of any of the precedingparagraphs the post defines a sleeve and the post extender is sized tobe received in the sleeve.

In another aspect, in the display hanger of any of the precedingparagraphs the post extender includes a plate at a distal end.

In another aspect, the display hanger of any of the preceding paragraphsfurther includes a pull disposed at a distal end of the post extender.

In another aspect, in the display hanger of any of the precedingparagraphs the product support comprises an upturned distal end.

In another aspect, in the display hanger of any of the precedingparagraphs the base comprises a pair of spaced apart members joining ata distal end.

In another aspect, the display hanger of any of the preceding paragraphsfurther includes a pull disposed at a distal end of the product support.

In another aspect, in the display hanger of any of the precedingparagraphs the biasing member comprises a retractable spring.

In another aspect, the display hanger of any of the preceding paragraphsfurther includes a base from which the post depends.

In another aspect, in the display hanger of any of the precedingparagraphs the base comprises a fixed portion, fixed to the post, and anadapter configured to releaseably receive the fixed portion.

In another aspect, the display hanger of any of the preceding paragraphsfurther includes a retention mechanism for retaining the product supportarm in the extended position.

In other aspects of this disclosure, a display hanger includes a base; apost extending from the base in an axial direction; an elongate sleevereceiving the post and movable relative to the post in the axialdirection between a display position proximate the base and an extendedposition spaced from the display position, relatively farther from thebase; a product support arm fixed relative to the elongate sleeve andconfigured to support a plurality of similarly packaged products; and abiasing member biasing the elongate sleeve toward the display position.

In another aspect, the display hanger of the preceding paragraph furtherincludes a plate disposed at a distal end of the elongate sleeve.

In another aspect, the display hanger of any of the preceding paragraphsfurther includes a label disposed on the plate, the label comprising atleast one of a UPC code, a product identification, an advertisement, anda price.

In another aspect, in the display hanger of any of the precedingparagraphs the product support comprises an upturned distal end.

In another aspect, in the display hanger of any of the precedingparagraphs the product support is disposed vertically below the elongatesleeve.

In another aspect, the display hanger of any of the preceding paragraphsfurther includes a grip disposed at a distal end of the elongate sleeveor the product support

In another aspect, in the display hanger of any of the precedingparagraphs the biasing member comprises a retractable spring.

In another aspect, in the display hanger of any of the precedingparagraphs the base comprises a fixed portion, fixed to the post, and anadapter configured to releaseably receive the fixed portion.

Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective exploded view of an extendable hanger device,in a retracted position, according to an example implementation of thisdisclosure;

FIG. 1B is a side view of the hanger device illustrated in FIG. 1A, in aretracted position;

FIG. 1C is a side view of the hanger device illustrated in FIG. 1A, inan extended position;

FIG. 2A is a side view of an extendable hanger device, in an extendedposition, according to another example implementation of thisdisclosure;

FIG. 2B is a side view of the extendable hanger device illustrated inFIG. 2A, in a retracted position;

FIG. 3 is partially-exploded perspective view of an extendable hangerdevice according to additional implementations of this disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a partially-exploded perspective view of an extendable hangerdevice according to other implementations of this disclosure; and

FIG. 4B is an exploded, perspective view of features of the extendablehanger device illustrated in FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiments is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure,its application, or uses.

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each andevery value that is within the range. Any value within the range can beselected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references citedherein are hereby incorporated by referenced in their entireties. In theevent of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and thatof a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

This disclosure relates generally to displaying merchandise, and moreparticularly to retail merchandise displays in which products are hungfrom peg hooks or the like. Although certain embodiments and benefitswill be described, other implementations, modifications, and/or benefitswill be appreciated those having ordinary skill in the art, with thebenefit if this disclosure.

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate a display hanger 100 according to an embodimentof this disclosure. The display hanger 100 includes a base 102. The base102 is illustrated as being a substantially rectangular plate, althoughit may take other shapes. A hook 104 is disposed to extend from the base102, such as by forming a bent section of the base 102. The hook 104 isprovided as a mount that promotes attachment of the device 100 to adisplay or wall (not shown). Depending upon the display type, the mountmay include features additional to or instead of the hook 104. Forexample, the mount may be one or more pegs sized to be received in apegboard, as is conventionally known. Other mounts may also be known orappreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art. As noted above,the mount is generally included to promote attachment of the base 102 toa display, such as a substantially vertical surface. The mount may beintegral with the base, connected to the base, or some combination ofintegrated and combined. In still other embodiments, the mount may notbe necessary, as the base 102 may be directly fixed or otherwiseretained on a surface, such as a wall. In some embodiments, the base 102may be screwed, nailed, adhered, or otherwise retained on the displaysurface.

As also illustrated in FIG. 1A, a post 106 extends from a front surfaceor face of the base 102. The post 106 is illustrated as a pair ofparallel, spaced-apart cylindrical or wire members 106 a, 106 bextending generally along parallel axes 108. The axes 108 define anaxial direction. Proximate a distal end of the post 106, the members 106a, 106 b are angled or otherwise bend such that the members 106 a, 106 bmeet at a junction 110. The junction 110 forms the distal end of thepost 106. As illustrated, the junction 110 may be formed below the axisof the members 106 a, 106 b which will be described in more detailbelow. The junction is illustrated as forming a v-shape, although thejunction 110 could more closely resemble a u-shape or some other shape.As illustrated, the post 106 extends from the base 102 such that theaxes 108 are slightly inclined relative to horizontal when the base isretained on a vertical surface. In other embodiments, the axes 108 maybe horizontal, or they may be at some angle relative to horizontal otherthan illustrated. The post 106 may be formed from any rigid material,including, but not limited to, metal, plastics, or the like. In someimplementations, the post is formed by bending a slender cylindricalmetal rod.

An extender 112 is disposed to move relative to the post 106. In FIGS.1A-1C, the extender 112 generally includes a post extender 114, a sled116, and a product support arm 118. The extender 112 acts with the post106 to create a telescoping member.

The post extender 114 is generally an elongate member fixed to andextending from the sled 116. The sled 116 is disposed to move on thepost 106 from a retracted position, illustrated in FIG. 1B to anextended position illustrated in FIG. 1C. The sled 116 includes parallelsleeves 120, sized to receive the members 106 a, 106 b with someclearance between the sleeves and the members. Thus, the sled isconfigured move along the members 106 a, 106 b. The sled 116 may alsoprovide a connection point or location to which a distal end of abiasing member 122 is attached. An opposite end of the biasing member122 preferably is fixed relative to the base 102. The biasing member 122biases the sled 116 toward the base 102. As will be appreciated, becausethe post extender 114 is fixed relative to the sled 116, the postextender 114 also is biased toward the base 102. Accordingly, the device100 is biased to the retracted position illustrated in FIG. 1B.

The biasing member may be any conventional device that biases theextender 112 toward the base 102. A flat retractable spring isschematically illustrated in FIG. 1 as the biasing member 122 and it maybe contained in a housing or pocket 124 that prevents detachment of thebiasing member 122 from the base 102 and/or constrains movement of thebiasing member to the axial direction. Other types of springs, such ashelical springs, as well as elastic members, or the like may be used asthe biasing member 122.

As illustrated, the post extender 114 and the product support arm 118extend from the sled 116 generally in the axial direction, with the postextender 114 being spatially above the product support arm 118. Althoughnot required, in the illustrated embodiment, the post extender iscontained with the v-shaped junction 110 of the post 106. Thisarrangement may promote alignment of the extender 112 with the post 106as well as provide support for the product support arm 118 in theextended position.

As illustrated, the product support arm 118 is fixed relative to thepost extender 114. In FIGS. 1A-1C the product support arm 118 isillustrated as fixed to the sled 116, although it may alternatively befixed to the post extender 114. Because the product support arm 118 isfixed relative to the post extender 114 and the sled 116, the productsupport arm 118 moves with those components. The product support arm 118illustrated generally includes a cylindrical post or rod, much like aconventional peg hook.

As illustrated, the product support arm 118 may also include an upturneddistal end 126. The upturned distal end 126 may prevent product hangingon the product support arm 118 from accidentally falling off the distalend of the product support arm 118. The illustrated product support arm118 is shown as angled relative to horizontal, although such is notrequired. In other embodiments, the product support arm 120 may besubstantially horizontal, or even angled relatively below horizontal.Moreover, the product support arm may be angled relative to the postextender 114. For example, the product support arm 120 may besubstantially horizontal, whereas the post extender 114 is configured asillustrated in the figures.

FIGS. 1A-1C also illustrate a display plate 128 disposed at a distal endof the post extender 114. The plate 128 may be a conventional displaymechanism, upon which a UPC code, a price tag, a product description, anadvertisement, or the like, may be placed. The plate 128 is wider thanthe distal end of the post extender 112. Accordingly, the plate 128 mayprovide a convenient grip for a consumer, allowing her to extend thepost extender 114 and the product support arm 118 from the retractedposition. More specifically, a consumer may grasp the sides and/or backof the plate 128 and, by pulling the plate 128 toward them against theforce of the biasing member 122, extend the post extender 114 and theproduct support arm 118 from the retracted position. As will beappreciated, upon releasing the plate 128, the post extender 114 and theproduct support arm 118 will automatically return to the retractedposition, i.e., under the action of the biasing member 122.

Although a shopper may use the plate 128 as a means for extending thedevice 100, a pull 130 also is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C. Theillustrated pull 130 generally comprises a tab depending from the plate128. The pull 130 may be sized to allow a consumer to place one or morefingers behind the pull 130. Alternatively, the consumer may grip thepull 130 between two fingers. This disclosure is not limited to theillustrated pull 130. In fact, FIG. 3, described below, illustratesanother example pull. Those having ordinary skill in the art, with thebenefit of this disclosure, will appreciate alternative pulls orgripping features. Without limitation, the pull 130 may be replaced byor incorporate a ring, a knob, a handle, an aperture through the plate124, a flange, or the like. In use, a consumer may grip the pull 130 orsimilar feature and pull the post extender from the non-extendedposition to an extended position. As noted above, the shopper may alsoor alternatively use the plate 128 as the pull.

The device 100 normally remains in the retracted position. The biasingmember 122 maintains the sled 116, post extender 114, product supportarm 118, and features disposed thereon, proximate the base 102, so thepost extender 114 is not telescoped relative to the post 106. In someimplementations, this non-extended position is a display position. Inthis display position, the device 100 has an affect very similar to thatof a conventional display hook. For instance, a plurality of productsmay be retained on the product support arm 120 as in conventional peghook applications. Unlike conventional applications, however, the usermay extend the product support arm 118 from this display position to anextended position in which product retained on the product support armis distanced from the base 102. An implementation in which a pluralityof devices 100 are arranged on a vertical surface, extending the device100 will pull the product retained on the product support arm 118 infront of product retained on other, adjacent devices 100. In thismanner, a user may more easily visually inspect the product retained onthe product support arm 120, without the need to physically touch orremove any product.

When the consumer has finished visually inspecting the product on theproduct support arm 118, she may release the device 100. The biasingmember 122 will then return the product to the retracted, displayposition.

The device 100 may include additional features. For example, it may bedesirable to ensure that the post extender 112 cannot be easily removedfrom the post 106. In some embodiments, the biasing member 118 may besufficiently strong (or of a limited length) that a consumer would beunable to remove the extender 112 absent a significant force.

In addition or alternatively, the post 106 and/or the extender 112 mayinclude one or more features that inhibit separation. For example, FIGS.1A-1C include a stop 132 extending between the members 106 a, 106 b ofthe post. When the extender 112 is pulled to the extended position, thesled 116 contacts the stop 132 to prohibit further extension. Alternatemechanisms for preventing separation of the post extender 112 from thepost 106 will be within the knowledge and skill in the art, with thebenefit of this disclosure. For example, a diameter of one or both ofthe post members 106 a, 106 b may be increased, such as by a cuff,flange, or taper, for example, to interfere with continued movement ofthe sleeves 120 along the members 106 a, 106 b.

Modifications to the device 100 also are contemplated. For example, FIG.2 shows an alternative telescoping hanger device 200. Similar to thedevice 100, the device 200 includes a base 202 and a post 204 extendingfrom the base 202 along an axis 206. In this embodiment, however, thepost 106 includes a single cylindrical member. That is, the post 204 isa generally elongate finger that extends along the axis 206 from aproximal or base end (connected to the base 202) to a distal end (notvisible in the figures). Although not illustrated, the base 202 may alsoinclude a mount, like the hook 104 discussed above.

The device 200 also includes a post extender 208 movable relative to thepost 204, generally along the axis 206. However, instead of a sled orsimilar member, the post extender 208 defines a sleeve which is anelongate opening therein, sized to receive the post 204. In FIG. 2A, thepost extender 208 is shown as extended relative to the post 204. In thisextended position, much of the post 106 is exposed. In contrast, in FIG.2B, the post extender is in a retracted position, such that a majority(or all) of the post 204 is disposed in the sleeve post extender 208.Although in the device 200 the post extender 208 includes the sleeve andthe post extender 208 slides over the post 204, in other embodiments,the post 204 may comprise a sleeve and the post extender 208 may beextended from and retracted to a position within the sleeve. In theseimplementations, the post extender 208 and the post 204 act as atelescopic post.

The post 204 and sleeve arrangement is one example implementation thatallows for relative movement of the post 204 and the post extender 208.In other implementations, the sleeve may not be included. For instance,one of the post or the extender may include a track or similar featurein which the other of the post and the post extender is retained andslides. In still other embodiments, the post extender may otherwise bedisposed to move relative to the post.

The device 200 may also include a flange 210 at a proximate end of thepost extender 208. Although the flange 210 is illustrated as arectangular plate, the flange may take other forms, shapes and sizes. Insome embodiments, the flange 210 may contact the base 202 when the postextender 208 is in the retracted position. The flange 210 may alsoprovide a connection point or location to which a distal end of abiasing member 212 is attached. An opposite end of the biasing member212 preferably is fixed relative to the base 202. The biasing member 212biases the post extender 208 toward the base 202. As will beappreciated, because the post extender 208 is fixed relative to theflange 210, the post extender 208 also is biased toward the base 202.Accordingly, as with the device 100, the device 200 is biased to theretracted position.

The biasing member may be any conventional device that biases the postextender 208 toward the base 202. A retractable helical spring isschematically illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B as the biasing member 212.Other types of springs, such as flat springs, as well as elasticmembers, or the like, may be used as the biasing member 122.

The post 204 and/or the extender 208 may include one or more featuresthat inhibit separation. In some implementations, the biasing member 212may be sufficiently rigid that a force in excess of what a shopper wouldgenerally apply would be required to remove the extender 208.Alternatively, or additionally, the post 204 and the post extender 208may be keyed relative to each other. In one example, the post 204 mayinclude a channel on its outer surface and the post extender 208includes a protrusion on a surface of the sleeve formed therein thatslides in the channel. The channel may be formed along less than theentire length of the post 204, such that the end of the channel acts asa hard stop for the protrusion. Keying the post 204 and the postextender 208 may have the further benefit of maintaining a consistentrotational alignment between the post 204 and the post extender 208. Inother embodiments, in which the post slides in a sleeve, separation maybe inhibited by tapering an external surface of the post 204 and/or aninternal surface of the sleeve. In these embodiments, the outer surfaceof the post 204 and the inner surface of the sleeve contact withextension of the post extender 208 relative to the post 204, and, aftera predetermined extension, interfere to prohibit further extension.Alternate mechanisms for preventing separation of the post extender 208from the post 204 will be within the knowledge and skill in the art,with the benefit of this disclosure.

As in the device 100, the device 200 also includes a plate 214 at adistal end of the post extender 208, and a pull 216 on the plate 214.The plate 214 and the pull 216 may take the forms and/or include themodifications described above with respect to the plate 128 and the pull130, and are therefore not discussed further herein.

The device 200 also includes a product support arm 218. The productsupport arm 214 is substantially the same as the product support arm 118described above, and may be modified as described above.

The device 200 normally remains in the retracted position. The biasingmember 212 maintains the post extender 208, the product support arm 218,and features associated therewith proximate the base 202, so the postextender 208 is not telescoped relative to the post 204. In someimplementations, this non-extended position is a display position. Inthis display position, the device 200 has an affect very similar to thatof a conventional display hook. For instance, a plurality of productsmay be retained on the product support arm 218 as in conventional peghook applications. Unlike conventional applications, however, theshopper may extend the product support arm 218 from this displayposition to an extended position in which product retained on theproduct support arm is distanced from the base 202. An implementation inwhich a plurality of devices 200 are arranged on a vertical surface,extending the device 200 will pull the product retained on the productsupport arm 218 in front of product retained on other, adjacent devices200. In this manner, a user may more easily visually inspect the productretained on the product support arm 218, without the need to physicallytouch or remove any product.

When the consumer has finished visually inspecting the product on theproduct support arm 218, she may release the device 200. The biasingmember 212 will then return the product to the retracted, displayposition.

Additional modifications to the illustrated embodiments and theembodiments and modifications described above also are contemplated. Forexample, although each of the devices 100, 200 includes a post extenderand a product support arm, in some embodiments, only the product supportarm may be provided. For instance, in the device 100, only the productsupport arm 118 may extend from the sled 116. The plate 128 may beprovided on the distal end of the product support arm in this example,or on the post. When provided on the post, the user may instead graspthe distal end of the product support arm to extend the arm, as the postis not movable. A pull may be provided at the distal end of the supportarm to assist in extending the arm. When the device 200 does not includea separate product support arm, the post extender 208 may function asthe product support arm. The post extender may include an upturned endin this embodiment. A shopper may grasp the upturned end to exert aforce on the post extender 208 to extend the device 200. Although notillustrated, a gripping feature, e.g., a finger grip, a knob, a hole, aring, a pull, or the like may be provided proximate the distal end ofthe post extender 208. The gripping feature may be in addition to theupturned end 210 or as alternative to the upturned end 210.

FIG. 3A illustrates a partially-exploded view of another exampleembodiment of a display hanger 300. The display hanger has similaritiesto the device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C. For instance, the hanger300 includes a base 302, a post 304 extending from the base 302, and anextender 306 disposed to move relative to the base 302. As in the device100, the base 302 is illustrated as being a substantially rectangularplate having a hook 308 disposed to extend from the base 302, such as byforming a bent section of the base 302. The hook 308 is provided as amount that promotes attachment of the hanger 300 to a display or wall(not shown). The mount may also include features additional to orinstead of the hook 308, such as a support 310 that supports and/orspaces the base 302 from a mounting surface. The base 302, hook 308 andspacer 310 may be provided as a means to attach the hanger 300 to aspecific type of display. Those having ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that different types of displays may require differentfeatures on the base 302 to promote attachment of the hanger 300thereto. This disclosure is not limited to any one type of display orattachment mechanism. For example, the hanger 300 could instead includeone or more pegs sized to be received in a pegboard, as isconventionally known.

The extender 306 generally includes a post extender 312, a sled 314, anda product support arm 316. The hanger 300 also includes a biasing member318 biasing the sled 314 relative to the base 302. The biasing membermay be any conventional device that biases the extender 306 toward thebase 302. A flat, retractable spring is illustrated in FIG. 3 as thebiasing member. For clarity, the spring is shown detached from the sled.The spring may be contained in a housing 320 that prevents detachment ofthe biasing member 318 from the base 302 and/or constrains movement ofthe biasing member 318 to the axial direction. The housing 320 isillustrated as being disposed on the base 302, below the post 304 andsled 314. In this manner, unlike the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.1A-1C, the biasing member 318 and the housing 320 do not protrude abovethe sled 314, for example.

FIG. 3 also shows a display plate 322 disposed at a distal end of thepost extender 312. The plate 322 may be a conventional displaymechanism, upon which a UPC code, a price tag, a product description, anadvertisement, and/or the like may be placed. Data may be placeddirectly on the display plate 322, e.g., using an adhesive, a magnet, orthe like, or, as illustrated, a data holder 324 may be attached to thedisplay plate 322. The data holder 324 may comprise a sleeve, pocket,channel, or other device capable of releasably retaining data, such as aUPC code, a price tag, a product description, an advertisement, and/orthe like. The data holder 324 may be secured to the display plate 322,e.g., using adhesives, magnets, welding, or the like. In someembodiments, the data holder 324 may be removable from the display plate322.

The display plate 322 may provide a convenient grip for a consumer,allowing her to extend the post extender 312 and the product support arm316 from the retracted position, as in the embodiments described above.A pull 326 is also provided on the display plate 322. The pull 326generally comprises a tab depending substantially perpendicularly, i.e.,toward the user, from the display plate 322. Thus, the pull 326 isdifferently shaped than the pull 130 illustrated above. However, thefunction is substantially the same. A consumer may use the pull 326 as aconvenient mechanism to grasp when extending the extender 306.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate another example display hanger 400. Many ofthe features of the display hanger 400 are similar to or the same asfeatures illustrated in and described in connection with the hangers100, 200, 300. Moreover, the display hanger 400 is operated insubstantially the same manner as which the hangers 100, 200, 300 areoperated. Those features and operations will not be described in furtherdetail here.

The display hanger 400 includes a different base 402 than the hangersillustrated previously. Specifically, the base 402 comprises a fixedmember 404 and an adapter 406. The fixed member 404 is illustrated asgenerally including a rear plate 408. As illustrated best in FIG. 4B,the rear plate 408 may comprise a rear portion that cooperates with afront portion 410 to form a housing 412. For example, as in the hanger300 described above, a spring may be disposed in a cavity defined by thehousing 412 to bias an extender 414 to a retracted position. In theexample of FIGS. 4A and 4B, the fixed member 404 may also include aguide 416 or similar feature to constrain movement of the springdisposed in the housing 412. The guide 416 is illustrated as adownturned tab or flange that extends in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the rear plate 408. The housing 412 may be formed bywelding or otherwise securing the front portion 410 to the rear plate408. Moreover, ends of a post 418 may be welded or otherwise affixed toone or both of the rear plate 408 and the front portion 410 of thehousing 412.

The fixed member 404 of the base 402 is intended to be removablyreceived in the adapter 406. More specifically, lateral edges 420 of therear plate 408 preferably extend wider than the front portion 410 andthe post 418, and the adapter 406 has channels 422 spaced and configuredto receive the lateral edges 420. In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, thechannels 422 are formed by turned-in edges 424 of a planar member 426 ofthe adapter 406.

In this embodiment, the display hanger is assembled by sliding the fixedportion 404 of the base 402 into the adapter 406, from above the adapter406. To prevent the fixed member from sliding through adapter, theadapter 406 also may be provided with a bottom 424 upon which the base402 may abut upon insertion. The bottom 428 is illustrated as aprotrusion extending from the planar member 426, between the turned-inedges 424. In other embodiments, the bottom 428 may extend fromedge-to-edge. In still other embodiments, in addition to or instead ofthe bottom 428, the channels 422 may be configured to narrow from top tobottom. In this manner, an interference fit between inner surfaces ofthe channels 422 and outer surfaces of the lateral edges 420 may holdthe fixed member 404 in place.

The adapter 404 includes attachment features 430 that promote attachmentof the adapter 404 to an existing display. In the example of FIG. 4, theattachment features include a pair of L-shaped pegs that promoteattachment of the adapter 404 to a peg board. As should be appreciated,according to this embodiment different adapters 404 may allow attachmentof the hanger 400 to a number of different, pre-existing displays. Inthis manner, for example, a retailer is not required to buy all newhangers when the type of display is changed. Only new adapters, withdifferent attachment features 430, may be required.

As will be appreciated, other structures and configurations of the base402 are contemplated. For example, although the rear plate 408 and theplanar member 426 are illustrated as being substantially planar andrectangular, any cooperating size and/or shape may be used withoutdeparting from the scope of this disclosure.

The hanger 400 also illustrates another feature not shown inpreviously-described embodiments. Specifically, a sled 432, which issubstantially identical in form and operations to the sleds describedabove, also includes a retaining mechanism that promotes retaining ofthe extender 414 in the extended position. Such a feature may be helpfulto a person placing product on the hanger 400, for example. In FIG. 4A,the retaining mechanism includes a retention aperture 434 extendingvertically through a tab 436. The tab extends from the sled 432 in adirection toward the distal end of the post 418. The tab 436 may beformed integrally with a portion of the sled 432 and of a material thatallows for some flexibility of the tab 436. As in previous embodiments,a stop 438 also is provided on the post 418, to prevent over-extensionof the extender 414. In this embodiment, the stop 438 also includes aretention protrusion 440 extending upwardly from a top surface of thestop 438. Also in this embodiment, the under-side of the protrusion 440comprises a guide that approximates an outer surface of a portion of theextender 414.

In operation, as the sled 432 approaches the stop 438, i.e., uponextension of the extender 414, the tab 436 flexes relative to the sled432 so as to travel over a top of the stop until the protrusion 440 iscaptured in the retention aperture 434 on the sled 432. The tab 436 issufficiently rigid that the extender 414 will remain in the extendedposition, with the protrusion 440 being retained in the retentionaperture 434. To return the extender 414 to the retracted position, auser may apply an upward force to a distal, front edge of the tab 436,to release the retention aperture 434 and the retention protrusion 440.

As will be appreciated, the tab 436 and protrusion 440 are not the onlymanner in which the extender 414 may be retained in the extendedposition. Other features could also be used. For example, the sled 432could instead include a hook or similar latching feature that contactsthe stop 438. In that example, the stop 438 may not include theprotrusion 440.

Although example embodiments have been described in language specific tothe structural features and/or methodological acts, the claims are notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather,the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms ofimplementing the example embodiments. Moreover, although certainfeatures are illustrated in certain embodiments, different combinationof features will be readily appreciated by those having ordinary skillin the art. For example, the base with adapter of FIG. 4 may be used incombination with the biasing members illustrated in any other Figure.These and other combinations are intended to be a part of thisdisclosure.

1. A display hanger comprising: a post extending in an axial direction from a base to a distal end; a product support arm configured to move generally in the axial direction relative to the post between a retracted display position proximate the base of the post, and an extended position relatively farther from the base; and a biasing member biasing the product support arm toward the display position.
 2. The display hanger of claim 1, further comprising a sled configured to move on the post, wherein the product support is fixed on the sled.
 3. The display hanger of claim 2, wherein the sled comprises at least one sleeve receiving the post therein.
 4. The display hanger of any one of claims 1 to 3 claim 1, further comprising a post extender fixed relative to the product support and movable in the axial direction relative to the post.
 5. The display hanger of claim 4, wherein the post extender comprises a sleeve sized to receive the post.
 6. The display hanger of claim 4, wherein the post defines a sleeve and the post extender is sized to be received in the sleeve.
 7. The display hanger of claim 4, wherein the post extender includes a plate at a distal end.
 8. The display hanger of claim 4, further comprising a pull disposed at a distal end of the post extender.
 9. The display hanger of claim 1, wherein the product support comprises an upturned distal end.
 10. The display hanger of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a pair of spaced apart members joining at a distal end.
 11. The display hanger of claim 1, further comprising a pull disposed at a distal end of the product support.
 12. The display hanger of claim 1, wherein the biasing member comprises a retractable spring.
 13. The display hanger of claim 1, further comprising a base from which the post depends.
 14. The display hanger of claim 13, wherein the base comprises a fixed portion, fixed to the post, and an adapter configured to releaseably receive the fixed portion.
 15. The display hanger of claim 1, further comprising a retention mechanism for retaining the product support arm in the extended position.
 16. A display hanger comprising: a base; a post extending from the base in an axial direction; an elongate sleeve receiving the post and movable relative to the post in the axial direction between a display position proximate the base and an extended position spaced from the display position, relatively farther from the base; a product support arm fixed relative to the elongate sleeve and configured to support a plurality of similarly packaged products; and a biasing member biasing the elongate sleeve toward the display position.
 17. The display hanger of claim 16, further comprising a plate disposed at a distal end of the elongate sleeve.
 18. The display hanger of claim 17, further comprising a label disposed on the plate, the label comprising at least one of a UPC code, a product identification, an advertisement, and a price.
 19. The display hanger of claim 16, wherein the product support comprises an upturned distal end.
 20. The display hanger of claim 16, wherein the product support is disposed vertically below the elongate sleeve.
 21. The display hanger of claim 16, further comprising a grip disposed at a distal end of the elongate sleeve or the product support
 22. The display hanger of claim 16, wherein the biasing member comprises a retractable spring.
 23. The display hanger of claim 6, wherein the base comprises a fixed portion, fixed to the post, and an adapter configured to releaseably receive the fixed portion. 